Well, it was an interesting weekend, to say the least. To celebrate the completion of 51 High-Tech Practical Jokes - it's done, it's done, it's done!!!! - we decided to take the Duct Tape Palace (aka The House of Cloth) out for its first camping trip this year. We chose a provincial park about an hour's drive from town where it would be quiet so we could relax and spend some time chillin'. Little did we know how chillin' we would really be.

Many nearby forest fires forced the Ministry of Natural Resources to impose fire bans throughout most of the region. We knew that there was a good chance we couldn't have campfires over the weekend. Indeed, the ban continued all weekend despite some rain on Saturday. So, there we were - AZ, KoolKat and the Prince of Dogness - huddled together in our House of Cloth, under half a dozen blankets and heater blasting on high, watching Friends episodes on our archaic DVD player, which refused to work one night, probably due to the cold.

Yes, icicles did form above our heads due to the condensation from our breath while were sleeping, and we're all trying to shake the chills from three days and nights of sub-zero temps, rains and wearing layers of clothing all of the time. Yes, it rained and snowed twice. We must be crazy to subject ourselves to this unpredictable weather every year, but what else can you do on a long weekend!? Despite the chilliness, we did relax, saw many deer, a rabbit, a raccoon, walked around the park and did enjoy a couple of days of sunshine.

We did have a tragedy on Friday that put a damper all weekend. Brad brought his buddy Sparky to tool around the park since he's a silent little dude, but tragedy struck, and an ear-shattering boom disrupted the evening tranquility. Poor Sparky blew a rear tire in a spectacular explosion, leaving Brad to push the bike back to the campsite, a long walk from where the tragedy took place. The rear tire is beyond repair; it blew up pretty good.Maybe it's time to reincarnate Sparky into another electric vehicle. Guess that's what happens when you buy crap tires from Crappy Tire (Canadian Tire). This time, we'll invest in higher quality wheels.

So, now that we're back in the swing of things and thawing out, you know what this means - it's BIKE BUILDING TIME, BABY!

The first project will be the Streetfox Tadpole Trike, which will include rear suspension. I really took a liking to Brad's DeltaWolf Trike, so I get to have a trike of my own.  I did like my WildKat Recumbent last year, but I really like trikes right now. After cruising around on the Kyoto Cruiser Trike, last year, I want my own. When I have the garden completely planted, then I'll start my welding lessons, too. I can hardly wait. Updates on this project will be posted here and in the forum.

Freak Bike Militia - Golden Horseshoe Cruisers will be holding their second annual Hamilton Beach Cruise and Can-Am Challenge,  July 20 & 21, Oakville, Ontario. For more information, contact fbmghc@hotmail.com and check out the flyer http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f387/yyzmec/FBMGHHBC07FLYERa.jpg . Last year's event was a success, so join the fun and good times. We will get there some day, Tony, I promise!

Two more chapters to finish for the 51 High-Tech Practical Jokes book, then the Atomic Zombie garage officially opens for the bike building season. Lots of cool projects planned for the summer. Stay tuned!

OK, I think I can say for sure that spring is here. Tulips are coming up now, and there isn't any more snow in the forecast. I know, I said that last month and look what happened! It was actually +20 C yesterday, a far cry from the -20 C three weeks ago. The gardens are ready for planting, even have some grape plants in the ground and hoping they will grow well this summer.

The composter yielded some great soil almost to the very top of the container, the first time in several years since I started it. There's hope for me yet!

Only six home improvement projects line up for this summer! When you own a home, there's always something to do. The biggest hurdle is finding the time to fit everything in. I wonder how we ever got anything accomplished when we had cable TV! I'm so  glad we cancelled it years ago. We do enjoy watching DVDs of Macgyver, Hawaii Five-O, Miami Vice, Macleod, Quincy, Kojak, etc. My dad actually met Telly Savalas (Kojak) while on a trip in California years ago. We like the 70s and 80s shows the best. The only time we take a break during the day is to watch an episode of one of those shows, then it's back to the grind.

Only three more chapters to finish for the 51 High-Tech Practical Jokes book, then the garage cleaning and bike building begins! First on the list is another recumbent, followed by a chopper and tadpole trike. While these are being built, I will learn welding from the guru and work on some trailer designs that I've been wanting to build. Wish I could sketch better. I have them worked out in my head, just can't seem to put them on paper to make sense.

Updated the Builders Gallery over the weekend - a record 23 entries, including 14 choppers! There's alot of talent and creativity out there. Truly inspiring. Keep up the great work, everyone, and keep sending in those pictures of your completed home built projects to the gallery.

Who loves ya, baby?

I can't believe it - I think that spring has finally arrived. There's no snow in the yard and I've already started cleaning up the gardens and raked the lawn for the first time. The ground is still frozen in many areas, though.

Some crocuses and tulips are starting to poke through the soil and the sun has been out alot over the past few days. Is this a dream, or is winter finally over? Let's hope so.

Someone is itching to get the garage cleaned and organized for this year's bike projects, and someone else is anxious to start learning how to weld. Oh, the things I plan to make!

It better happen soon 'cause I don't have a bike to ride this year yet! My WildKat recumbent, which was built last spring, has been recycled to make room for more bikes, so I am currently bike-less.

Dude, I need some wheels!

Here we are less than two weeks from the beginning of April and guess what just happened - yep, more snow! I know, I asked for it weeks ago, but come on! Yesterday was pretty weird. -22 C in the morning, then warmed up a bit, some snow, then windy, then warmer, then freezing rain, followed by thunder and lightening and more freezing rain. Now, it's raining. I can't remember the last time we've had such weird weather. So much for being +8 C today, I think it got as high at +4 C. Oh well, can't complain considering the severe weather conditions east and south of us.

I guess the world didn't come to an end with the early Daylight Savings time change recently. I prefer this earlier time change anyway. It helps get you motivated with it's light earlier in the morning until early evening. Don't tell George W. Bush this, but I actually agree with him on setting the clocks forward one hour three weeks earlier this year.

Yes, in addition to a new chopper, Brad's worked out a plan for a new overseat steering recumbent that we will build together (yet to be named). Since I have yet to start on my welding lessons, it will be a good project for me to get started on. We have almost all of the parts together, just waiting for the weather to co-operate for the annual garage spring cleaning to make room for this year's builds.

The Builder's Gallery was updated today, so be sure to check them out. There is so much creativity out there, keep sending in those pictures!

Cheers to our buddy and Atomic Zombie forum member, Tiny Neutrino, who is planning an extensive sailing excursion across the Pacific Ocean on a homebuilt raft. Keep us posted "Tiny"!

Thanks also for all of the wonderful emails, gifts, invitations, letters and blog entries we've received from many Atomic Zombie krew members. Sometimes our lives are so hectic, it's impossible to thank each of you personally, so here's a big Thank You to everyone.

I have a confession to make. I secretly wished for snow recently and guess what we got a week ago? Yes, we got just over 2 feet of the white stuff. Why did I wish for snow? Well, water tables, lake and river levels are very low, and there have already been some forest fires in the region due to dry conditions. If we don't get enough snow and rain over the next few months, summer will be dry and terrible for forest fires. When summer is short where you live you can appreciate the importance of camping - campfire and all. When forest conditions are dry, fire bans are implemented and that means no campfires.

Now, the freezing rain has begun again. Ugh. Makes walking and driving very treacherous. But, I've heard that spring might be just around the corner.

The water table around here is very low and it will be another summer of severe water restrictions unless things change drastically. Plus, I'd rather have snow than -30 C to -45 C temps, even though it has been pretty cold this week in the -20s.

We were luckier than alot of regions in the US and eastern Canada that got pummeled by snow, high winds and tornadoes. So, enough of the weather already!

There will be a new awesome chopper, The Black Pearl, making its debut this spring, in May or June. I have seen some of the preliminary sketches, and believe me, this chopper is even more over the top than OverKill. More info. on The Black Pearl will be coming over the next couple of months.

Making more headway on the 51 High-Tech Practical Jokes book, busy with our regular jobs, and itching to get into the garage. The backyard is full of water and ice right now. Even the dog isn't thrilled about going outside. Hope it all melts away soon so we can get on with some bike projects. Stay tuned!